Clean Air Day 2024

MORE WALKING = LESS MOTOR TRAFFIC + LESS POLLUTION 

 

It's Global Action Plan's Clean Air Day 2024 on 20 June, so we've put together a list of easy things you can do to help us campaign for walking and wheeling (or even scooting and cycling!) as we address the root cause of air pollution. 

 

 

 

Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental and health challenges in our time. Against this backdrop, the need to rethink how our streets work has never been more urgent. 

The most common and hazardous pollutants from road transport are: 

  • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a gas that comes from combustion processes powering petrol and diesel vehicles. 

  • Particulate matter (PM), small airborne particles released from tyres and brakes.

At Living Streets, we see promoting walking as a vital tool in reducing the motor traffic that generates so many emissions – especially for short journeys under a mile. 

All evidence suggests that we are no less exposed to the effects of pollution in a car than we are outside.  

Although the overall health benefits of walking outweigh the disbenefits of exposure, we know that poor air quality is something that impacts people’s health.  

That’s why tackling pollution is integral to so much of our work – from supporting anti-idling projects (to stop drivers leaving their engines running when the vehicle is parked or stationary for a period of time) to calling for car-free school gates. 

 

 

In urban areas diesel vehicles can be responsible for up to 70% of air pollution. By prioritising cleaner air and investing in walking and cycling, our decision makers can help turn this around. 

Air pollution contributes to 43,000 premature deaths each year in the UK.  In 2019, the European Heart Journal reported that toxic air is killing more people than tobacco smoking. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

We know we can do more, and here are some ways you can help. 

1. CALL FOR CLEAN AIR 

"If we want to reduce air pollution, we must design our towns and cities around people, not motor vehicles. 

Read our Air Pollution Policy page for more information and practical tips. 

2. BECOME A MEMBER 

By becoming a member today you can help Living Streets make the case for investing in and prioritising walking and cycling. 

3. TAKE OUR ACTION

Air pollution is a challenge that calls for big changes. If you'd like to support our campaigning, please add your name to our action. 

WHAT'S HAPPENING, COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY 

 

SCOTLAND 

Breathe Scotland is a cleaner air initiative run by Environmental Protection Scotland aimed at raising awareness of air pollution and its impacts on public health and our environment. 

ENGLAND 

Living Streets is a partner of the Healthy Air Coalition. Together with the coalition, we believe that everyone in the UK has the right to breathe safe, clean air, no matter who they are or where they live.  

WALES 

Living Streets Cymru welcomed the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill when it was passed into law in February 2024. This is an important milestone for improving air quality in Wales, which is one of the greatest health and environmental challenges in our time. Living Streets is a partner of Healthy Air Cymru.